This project explores the development of a biomimetic desalination membrane inspired by aquaporins, the natural water-channel proteins found in living cells. Its goal is to address the global freshwater crisis by creating a more energy-efficient and selective alternative to conventional desalination methods like reverse osmosis, which depend heavily on pressure and are often costly to operate. By using engineered aquaporin Z proteins derived from E. coli, the project aims to investigate a more sustainable and potentially portable approach to water purification.

The membrane will be built using rationally designed AqpZ mutants expected to improve water permeability while reducing salt transport, fouling, and bacterial adhesion. These proteins will be expressed, purified, and reconstituted into liposomes, which will then be embedded into a cellulose acetate support to form a thin biomimetic filtration layer. The completed membrane will be tested using saline feed solutions to evaluate water flux and salt rejection, and compared against wild-type and control membranes. Overall, the project seeks to demonstrate a next-generation desalination concept that combines biological selectivity with practical membrane engineering.